SQL Server 2005 Annoyances

One of the many annoying things about SQL Server 2005 is how it replaces SELECT ALL written as “SELECT * FROM”with a complete list of the column names. After testing a SQL statement in the SQL Pane to determine that it works, I don’t want my asterisk expanded into a three or four line list of column names. I usually want to copy and paste a working SQL statement into my documentation or notes.

Today I discovered how to disable this behavior. Just select Tools and then Options from the menu and select All Languages under Text Editor. Uncheck “Auto list members”. This will stop the “statement completion”of the asterisk in a SELECT.